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Smartwatches promise all kinds of quality-of-life improvements − here are 5 things users should keep in mind

James Gilmore, Clemson University, The Conversation Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more. Wearables offer tools […]

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James Gilmore, Clemson University, The Conversation

Smartwatches and other wearable devices can feel almost magical. Strap on a Fitbit, Apple Watch or Samsung Gear and you’re suddenly presented with a stream of data generated by – and about – your body: step counts, heart rate, blood oxygen level, calories burned and more.

Wearables offer tools that help people monitor and understand their bodies and, so the promise goes, improve their lives. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even said the technology company aspires to save your life.

As a professor who studies technology, I’ve spent the past decade researching smartwatches and other wearables. My new book, “Bringers of Order: Wearable Technologies and the Manufacturing of Everyday Life,” considers the gap between what these products promise and what they actually do.

Wearables rely on complicated sets of sensors and computer systems to create data for each user. As these devices become more common – and more complex – I worry that people may be tempted to think less about how they work. As a result, they might accept data at face value without considering how it was generated, whether it’s accurate, or even if it could put them at risk.

So to get the maximum value from wearable technologies, it’s worth reflecting on the differences between what these devices seem to do and what’s actually happening behind the screen. Here are a few key points to remember.

1. Steps aren’t really steps

Wearable fitness trackers gained popularity in the early 2010s for their ability to count steps and measure things such as distance, calories burned and flights of stairs climbed. While it’s tempting to think so-called step counts reflect the number of times a wearer’s feet have completed the action of taking a step, that is not the case.

In reality, a combination of sensors and algorithms work together to produce a data point called “a step.” In most instances, something called an accelerometer measures change in the wearable’s velocity. This is checked against an algorithm, which provides an automatic assessment of whether enough velocity has been reached to count as a step. These components measure how much the wearable moves, not the person. Shaking one’s wrist very quickly can sometimes create a “step,” while walking in place might not count steps.

2. Some skin tones don’t ‘work’ as well as others

Blood oxygen sensors have become incorporated into many smartwatches. They use a process called photoplethysmography, which uses tiny green LED lights on the underside of a smartwatch to track how blood flows through your wrist.

In 2022, a lawsuit alleged Apple was perpetuating racial bias, as its blood oxygen sensors didn’t work as well on darker skin. The case was dismissed, partly because these limitations of blood oxygen sensors have been known to researchers and medical practitioners for years. In other words, it is accepted that some features will not work as well for some people.

3. Your location may not be a secret

There’s an entire industry made up of people called data brokers who buy large datasets from technology companies and then sell them to advertisers, market analysts or other groups that may be interested in acquiring them.

While some companies have taken more steps to reduce or eliminate the sharing of data with third parties, and government agencies have offered strategies for users to limit location sharing, others may still share data among affiliates and service providers.

It’s important to check all settings for options to reduce or eliminate data sharing. Otherwise, your private information might not remain private for long. In 2018, for example, the exercise app Strava released a “heat map” showing the running and cycling routes of all its users through the location data it had collected – and accidentally disclosed the location of multiple secret military bases around the world.

4. Wearables for consumers aren’t medical grade

With wearables, as with other tech, it’s important to look carefully at the terms of use.

Most devices include boilerplate language about how the data they provide the wearer should be used recreationally and not replace formal diagnostics from doctors. Even though Apple has received FDA clearance for some of its health testing features and they may be quite useful for monitoring purposes, if you’re relying on data for health purposes, it’s important to consult a doctor.

5. Wearables can’t predict the future

OK, maybe this seems like it should be obvious. But it’s not.

Oura Ring, which pioneered measurements such as “restfulness” that try to measure how well you sleep, recently added a “symptom radar” to try to detect when you might be getting sick.

These technologies use sensors such as heart rate monitors and thermometers to detect changes in a wearer’s baseline. While these sickness forecasts may be helpful, they’re like weather reports for the body, detecting changes in the body’s internal atmosphere using available sensors and algorithms. Any claim to predict the future is based on looking for patterns in information from the past.

While wearable tech can offer powerful insights, understanding how devices work is crucial for making sense of the data they produce. A little skepticism goes a long way: It can challenge inflated promises and protect users. In the end, wearables are best understood as interesting but imperfect tools − not magic wands.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: James Gilmore, Clemson University

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James Gilmore does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.





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BODY20 Advances Fitness with EMS Tech for Faster Results

Lindsay Junk’s leadership drives innovation and growth, empowering communities with efficient, science-backed fitness solutions. NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 14, 2025 / BODY20, the nation’s fastest-growing electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) fitness franchise, is revolutionizing workouts by delivering full-body results in just 20 minutes. With over 60 studios nationwide and rapid expansion underway, BODY20’s […]

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Lindsay Junk’s leadership drives innovation and growth, empowering communities with efficient, science-backed fitness solutions.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire / May 14, 2025 / BODY20, the nation’s fastest-growing electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) fitness franchise, is revolutionizing workouts by delivering full-body results in just 20 minutes. With over 60 studios nationwide and rapid expansion underway, BODY20’s unique approach to fitness is redefining how Americans train.

“We’re not just offering another workout – we’re offering a complete rethinking of how people can train smarter, safer and more efficiently,” said BODY20’s new CEO, Lindsay Junk. “BODY20 provides a versatile fitness solution that meets the needs of diverse populations – from older adults with limited mobility or injuries to elite athletes aiming to intensify and maximize their workouts. Additionally, for the growing group of GLP-1 users experiencing rapid fat and muscle loss, BODY20 offers an efficient way to rebuild muscle and regain strength.”

BODY20’s innovative FDA-cleared EMS suit delivers over 150 times more muscle contractions than traditional workouts, offering full-body strength training, fat burning and core stabilization in just 20 minutes. Unlike conventional weight training, EMS activates muscles without the strenuous effort or pain often associated with heavy lifting, making it an ideal choice for both younger, more athletic members looking to enhance performance and older adults who need a low-impact workout. Certified BODY20 coaches personalize each session to ensure safe, effective results for every fitness level.

BODY20 is on track to become a dominant force in the fitness industry. Strategic partnerships, low investment due to compact studio space requirements and top-to-bottom support make BODY20 a compelling opportunity for entrepreneurs. Additionally, the high revenue per member driven by personalized 1-on-1 training sessions positions BODY20 as an attractive investment within the wellness and fitness space.

BODY20 continues to redefine fitness by making powerful, science-backed workouts accessible to everyone. As the brand expands across the country, more communities will have the opportunity to experience the benefits of efficient, personalized training. Whether aiming to build strength, improve endurance or stay active with minimal time commitment, BODY20’s innovative approach empowers individuals to achieve their fitness goals more effectively.

To learn more about BODY20 and explore franchise opportunities, visit BODY20.com and visit them on social media https://www.facebook.com/body20 and https://www.instagram.com/body20.





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Advice to founders from sports tech investors Keith Bank, Heath Butler, Evan Roosevelt

Former NHL marketing exec and current Underdog Advisory CEO Alysse Soll led an investor panel at Golfweek Tech Lab on Tuesday with three firm reps in the golf and larger sports tech sector: Keith Bank, founder of KB Partners; Heath Butler, partner at Mercury Fund; and Evan Roosevelt, managing partner of Old Tom Capital. During […]

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Former NHL marketing exec and current Underdog Advisory CEO Alysse Soll led an investor panel at Golfweek Tech Lab on Tuesday with three firm reps in the golf and larger sports tech sector: Keith Bank, founder of KB Partners; Heath Butler, partner at Mercury Fund; and Evan Roosevelt, managing partner of Old Tom Capital.

During the conversation, Soll asked the group what they wished more founders asked during conversations about potential financial backing.

Their answers revealed some insightful guidance that I wanted to pass along, since so many vendors are jockeying for a spot in this industry.

Keith Bank: “I’m always surprised that entrepreneurs don’t do the reverse diligence of the people they’re taking the money from that we do on them. You’re going to live together for five, six, seven, eight years. You’re going to be in a lot of board meetings. You’re going to be in a lot of tough situations. You’re going to have a lot of heart-to-heart talks. And not only the firm that you’re taking money from, but the person within that firm that you’re going to be working with … it’s a relationship. It’s like a marriage, and you’ve got to like the people you get in bed with and trust the people you get in bed with.”

Heath Butler: “It’d have to be them wanting to understand how we think about profitability and burn rate and some of these things. Most founders are so focused on the tech and the customer and selling me on why I should invest, and they’re not really thinking about the things I’m really thinking about — which is how much money do you need to get to that sort of inflection point you’re trying to get to, and how much risk is in that. … The capital efficiency nature of your journey tells me a lot about the business.”

Evan Roosevelt: “‘What can you do for us?’ is the big one. We offer that up to a lot of founders, and it’s kind of in our DNA, but more founders could be well served by pushing us. It goes back to being picky. It goes back to having optionality, which comes from being profitable at the end of the day. Because if you need a check, then you’re less likely to [carry out] due diligence, you’re less likely to care about what your investor thinks about your burden, and you’re more likely to take a check because it helps you survive.”



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OHM Fitness Continues Saving & Growing With Hapana 

The new-age fitness franchise is Hapana’s latest success story with its recent franchising progress  As a fitness and wellness brand with an emphasis on efficiency in the gym, it’s no wonder that OHM Fitness and Hapana, a leading software-as-a-service platform for fitness brands, make a perfect match.  With innovative workout programs featuring emPower EMS Suits […]

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The new-age fitness franchise is Hapana’s latest success story with its recent franchising progress 

As a fitness and wellness brand with an emphasis on efficiency in the gym, it’s no wonder that OHM Fitness and Hapana, a leading software-as-a-service platform for fitness brands, make a perfect match. 

With innovative workout programs featuring emPower EMS Suits and other supportive therapies, OHM Fitness packs the benefits of a two-hour workout into a low-impact 25-minute session. The aftereffects can include fat loss, improved skin health and energy, decreased stress and anxiety, increased muscle strength and pain relief benefits.

Hapana’s ability to drive brands forward with fast-paced, functional software is also well-documented. The brand has no shortage of success stories featuring spurred client productivity with smarter, speedier solutions. 

It was only a matter of time before both institutions realized their similar principles, inked a partnership and Hapana began propelling OHM Fitness to further success. 

“OHM Fitness has seen rapid growth over the past three years that we’ve been open,” said Director of Quality at OHM Fitness Allie Hartsworm. “We’ve taken it from a single flagship studio to being coast-to coast across the United States. It’s been a really exciting time.”

The Right Fit

Hapana and OHM Fitness aren’t just aligned on prioritizing efficiency. Hapana’s tailoring toward fitness-specific companies also makes it a well-suited provider for OHM Fitness — and those are harder to find than you might think. 

“First and foremost, we love that Hapana is a fitness franchise-centric platform,” said Hartsworm. “The big thing is, we didn’t have to try and make salon software work for fitness. A lot of times that becomes the reality of it because they’re so many POS and CRM systems out there for anyone to slot in and use some of the features that work and leave others on the wayside.”

Instead, Hapana gave OHM Fitness a full suite of tools meant for fitness brands — a key one being the ability to see all franchisee operational progress live. 

“This gave us more value anywhere else when it came to them fixing some of our challenges,” said Hartsworm. “They gave us easy insights into all of our studios. With one single sign-on, we have access to all of our locations. It’s very easy to see where we are at operationally.”

This connectivity and fitness-first set of tools have been essential to the brand’s aforementioned expansion efforts.  

“Through that rapid growth comes a need for stability,” said Hartsworm. “We noticed that our POS platform prior to Hapana wasn’t providing that. The biggest thing is maintaining brand consistency, offers and smooth ops processes, and any franchise experiences those potential challenges in the beginning of their expansion efforts. Hapana was able to be this all in one platform for fitness.”

Time Saved

Known for fitness experiences within shorter time parameters, OHM Fitness’ eyes are always on the clock. Doing so has helped the brand to understand Hapana’s impact in a quantitative sense as well. 

Prior to Hapana, OHM Fitness spent roughly 16 to 20 hours training new hires on its POS, CRM and reporting systems. It now takes only five to six. 

OHM Fitness through Hapana
credit: OHM Fitness

“We cut that down to a third of the time,” Hartsworm said. “People don’t really think about how much money that saves you as a business owner when you can train someone in a third of the time that it would take with other platforms.”

This is largely thanks to the provider’s simple user interface. 

“Hapana is a simple platform,” said Hartsworm. “It’s easy to use, makes sense and takes the guesswork out.” 

Man Power Support

In other instances, heightening productivity simply comes down to going the extra mile. Hapana does so by catering to client needs with more haste than other providers. 

“I can’t say enough about their customer service,” said Hartsworm. “In most cases, our support tickets are handled within two hours. With other big brands, I have seen support tickets sit there for days with follow-ups needed.”

Hapana’s quick-to-act nature creates a trickle-down effect in terms of increased bandwidth, as operators are able to focus on additional elements of their businesses with the energy saved. 

See Also

an image of EoS fitness gym

“From an HQ side, we’ve been able to offload our support side and our ticket system because Hapana is so good at those things that now we don’t have to worry about them,” added Hartsworm.

The brand’s account management team has an equal level of dedication to client needs as its customer support. Such attentiveness is crucial to establishing a cohesive and productive workflow between franchisors and franchisees. 

OHM Fitness and Hapana
credit: OHM Fitness

“Their account management team is top tier,” said Hartsworm. “They go above and beyond to make sure that HQ knows what’s happening and how we can be part of their roadmap for development.

“Hapana is not just our vendor,” she went on. “They’re a team player. We see Kate, Jarron, Mickey and all the people that we’ve been working with for the past two years as a part of OHM as well, which is really cool.”

Planned Advancements

OHM Fitness aims to continue its growth behind new features from Hapana as well. 

“They are totally beefing up their reporting system,” said Hartsworm. “I have thankfully been a part of their discovery process for what is needed in fitness franchising. What’s coming in their reporting is really exciting. Any fitness franchise or business is going to see this reporting and say, ‘Hey, I think Hapana is a real contender for my POS.’”

Hapana is also giving clients newer, more detailed means of management within its system. Doing so promises to enhance pivotability and improve connectivity within the franchise system to a further degree. 

“They are starting to roll out some more independent brand controls, meaning that we don’t have to rely on Hapana to make certain updates,” said Hartsworm. “We at corporate can make changes to inventory or pricing options and it will send that out to all of our studios and make everyone the same.”

It’s those things that I think are powerful and provide a lot of meaning to what they have going on,” she added. 





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Coinbase partners with Riot Games Esports

Coinbase has announced a significant expansion of its presence in the esports world through a new partnership with Riot Games. As the new exclusive cryptocurrency exchange and official blockchain technology partner for League of Legends and VALORANT Esports global events, Coinbase will collaborate closely with Riot Games to enhance the fan experience. This partnership will […]

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Coinbase has announced a significant expansion of its presence in the esports world through a new partnership with Riot Games. As the new exclusive cryptocurrency exchange and official blockchain technology partner for League of Legends and VALORANT Esports global events, Coinbase will collaborate closely with Riot Games to enhance the fan experience. This partnership will include the development of custom segments and in-game cosmetic rewards to enrich viewers’ engagement during competitions.

Shared vision in digital innovation: Coinbase partners with Riot Games Esports across Global League of Legends and VALORANT competitions

The partnership between Coinbase and Riot Games is rooted in a shared vision of innovation and disruption within their respective industries. Both esports and cryptocurrency have established themselves as digital-first communities, driven by passionate individuals who challenge traditional norms. As esports has redefined athleticism, cryptocurrency is reshaping the financial landscape to promote economic freedom. Coinbase and Riot Games, sharing these core values, have formed this strategic partnership to expand their influence across the global esports platforms of League of Legends and VALORANT.

Engaging fans across global competitions

Coinbase will make its debut at the Masters (M2) event in Toronto, Canada, marking the beginning of its engagement with fans through a series of activations across both games’ global esports calendars. These events include Masters and Champions on the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), as well as First Stand, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and Worlds for LoL Esports. Activations will span social media, broadcast, and digital campaigns, integrating technology to offer a more immersive fan experience.

Introducing innovative in-game segments

As part of the collaboration, Coinbase will introduce unique in-game segments tailored to each esports title. These include the “Econ Report” for VALORANT Esports and the “Gold Grind” for LoL Esports. Both segments will provide viewers with real-time analysis of each game’s in-match currency movements, offering insights into how these dynamics influence team strategies. Additionally, Coinbase will facilitate the distribution of digital rewards, known as “drops,” during events. These drops will include exclusive emotes and icons that fans can redeem, as well as promotions with unique prizes, such as an all-expenses-paid trip to major esports tournaments like the VALORANT Champions Tour or LoL Worlds.

A future of innovation in sports partnerships

A future of innovation in sports partnerships

The partnership between Coinbase and Riot Games is seen as a catalyst for future innovations in the intersection of esports and blockchain technology. Throughout the season, the collaboration will explore new ways to leverage Web3 technology to deliver insights and enhance the viewing experience. By integrating cryptocurrency and esports in meaningful ways, both companies aim to set new standards in sports partnerships.

Expanding a global presence in sports

Coinbase views this partnership as a strategic opportunity to engage with a global audience of digital natives who are curious about the potential of cryptocurrency. As one of the most trusted platforms for buying, selling, and managing crypto, Coinbase sees esports as a unique avenue to connect with communities that value speed, efficiency, and innovation in financial transactions.

This collaboration adds to Coinbase’s portfolio of sports partnerships, which already includes relationships with esports organization Team Liquid, as well as partnerships across major leagues such as the WNBA and NBA, the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team™, and Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga.

Looking ahead

With Riot Games’ player-centric philosophy and Coinbase’s mission-driven approach, the partnership aims to create an unparalleled fan experience by combining the dynamic worlds of esports and cryptocurrency.

What Riot Games had to say about the partership

We’re bringing on Coinbase as an official partner of VALORANT and LoL Esports global events, becoming the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange and a blockchain technology partner starting with VCT Masters Toronto, which begins June 7. 

Coinbase will contribute a number of fan-facing enhancements including custom segments, event activations, hospitality promotions, and giveaways for VALORANT and LoL Esports fans, all to be integrated in future events. 

As a digital-first brand, Coinbase has built a strong reputation supporting numerous global sports brands including the NBA and WNBA, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Aston Martin Aramco in Formula One™, and our friends at Team Liquid. We look forward to collaborating together to create deeper fan experiences across LoL and VALORANT Esports for years to come.

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Some cool tech observed at Golfweek Tech Lab

Golfweek Tech Lab featured a heavy dose of demos and showcases. There were three breakout sessions (labeled in the program as the Front Nine, the Turn and the Back Nine) for the 18 startups (really hammering home the golf angle here) attending to talk about their tech. Here are a few of my notes from […]

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Golfweek Tech Lab featured a heavy dose of demos and showcases. There were three breakout sessions (labeled in the program as the Front Nine, the Turn and the Back Nine) for the 18 startups (really hammering home the golf angle here) attending to talk about their tech.

Here are a few of my notes from those windows throughout the day.

Mobii’s in the mix

Mobii’s tech is quite innovative. The company has products that touch on both broadcasts and in-venue video. But in this ever-growing world of DTC platforms, Mobii’s Dynamic Cloud Mixer offers serious optimization for the sports that have a heavy camera presence.

Mobii’s Shane Cole, director/sales for North America, ran me through the offering, which LIV Golf and NASCAR use for the multiview experiences they help to create for fans through their broadcast rightsholders. The company has worked with approximately 10 sports partners and was a member of the 2024 cohort of the Comcast NBCUniversal SportsTech program.

The Dynamic Cloud Mixer uses AI to automate camera-switching and graphic overlays in cloud production and does so with low latency. Cole’s demo displayed footage from a LIV Golf competition, showing a multiview experience that enabled viewers to watch the play of all four Range Goats GC golfers at once. I’m imagining a day where I can follow different athletes of my choice in a multiview experience and looking forward to it.

LetzChat’s speaking a different language

LetzChat (also a former SportsTech participant) shared a compelling startup story, starting first as an audio transcription tool before shifting to a web and app translation. LetzChat uses AI to translate a website to any language based off device language preferences. CEO/co-founder Jordan Orlick said that companies that work with LetzChat see an ROI within five days from the transactions that come in thanks to the multilingual presentation and the data insights the tech gleans.

Its first client was the NFL, and it also works with MLS and the Mavericks, among others in the sports industry. For fun, I got them to translate the SBJ homepage into Japanese, which you can see above.

On a related note: 読んでいただきありがとうございます (this says “thank you for reading” according to Google Translate. If incorrect, please call me out).

Wicket’s growing presence

I was welcomed quite hurriedly into the event by Wicket (this is a joke about how fast the experience was to check in with a quick scan). The facial-recognition company has become a sports industry fixture and was also recognized as the 2025 SBA: Tech winner for Best In Venue and Franchise Operations Technology.

Wicket created a unique deployment last year for the men’s and women’s U.S. Opens — a day pass program that enabled fans to leave and re-enter the venue. That’s a feature that should work for any golf event featuring multiday competitions. The company has 40-plus sports venue connections at this point, working at the league level with the NFL for credentialing. Wicket also saw its first collegiate deployment last year around Florida’s football stadium. The initial partnership went so smoothly that the university has rolled out the feature for baseball and softball this spring, with hopes to also deploy for basketball and gymnastics next school year.



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Interview With Co-Founder Tanya Parfenyuk About The Fitness Products Company

Zing Coach has created a new generation of fitness products and personal fitness companions. And it connects to your smartphone, wearables, personal messenger, and smart TV while reviewing the data and translates it into movement actions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Zing Coach co-founder Tanya Parfenyuk to learn more about the company. Tanya Parfenyuk’s Background What is […]

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Zing Coach has created a new generation of fitness products and personal fitness companions. And it connects to your smartphone, wearables, personal messenger, and smart TV while reviewing the data and translates it into movement actions. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Zing Coach co-founder Tanya Parfenyuk to learn more about the company.

Tanya Parfenyuk’s Background

What is Tanya Parfenyuk’s background? Parfenyuk said:

“My journey combines scientific expertise with a love for fitness, driving our mission to innovate and inspire healthier lifestyles.”

“To give you a bit of background, I took my lifelong love of creating to university, where I earned my Bachelor in Science. I have always been involved in business projects from my time at university. Over the past decade, I’ve specialized in scaling and launching health and fitness products, accumulating a deep understanding of the industry.”

Formation Of Zing Coach

How did the idea for the company come together? Parfenyuk shared:

“With my deep experience in the fitness market, I’ve observed that despite a plethora of offerings, engagement rates remain low and the problem of inactivity persists. This clearly indicates that current solutions aren’t effectively addressing people’s needs. Recognizing this gap, I envisioned a platform that not only motivates users but also provides a personalized and engaging fitness journey.”

“Three ago, I met Walter – a Shaolin Temple monk with 30+ years of experience in coaching and training people. In 2022, Aleksei Kurov joined the company after an M&A deal with Zenia, the company he was CEO of.”

“Our goal is to create a solution that truly resonates with individuals, encouraging long-term healthy habits and making fitness a sustainable part of their lives. Our mission in Zing is to empower every person to improve their health and wellness through physical and mental transformations.”

Favorite Memory

What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Parfenyuk reflected:

“The day we received our first testimonials from users who experienced transformative changes thanks to Zing Coach app. Hearing their stories of improved health, increased confidence, and newfound motivation was incredibly rewarding. It validated our mission and reminded me why we started this journey—to make a real, positive impact on people’s lives.”

Core Products

Zing Coach

What are the company’s core products and features? Parfenyuk explained:

“Zing is a personal training experience app. The core features reflect the core functions of the great personal trainer:

— Individual Hyper Personalized Workouts – AI Generator and full adaptation to a multitude of variables, from the individual’s fitness to daily life

— Assessment – ZingLab, a suite of advanced CV fitness tests, movement analyzers, body composition scanners, creating the most accurate Fitness assessment anytime in real time

— Motivation – AI Coach, which monitors the person’s activity and proactively gives insights, motivation, support, guidance, care, with different tones of voice based on the personality of the user and his/her emotional profile, to help them as effectively and empathically as possible. AI Assistant powered by LLMs, CV, and advanced progress tracking tech, going beyond a Personal Trainer’s capabilities to a new level of tailored fitness.”

Challenges Faced

What challenges has Parfenyuk and the team faced in building the company? Parfenyuk acknowledged:

“The fitness sector is ever-evolving, and one of the significant challenges we’ve faced recently is the increasing competition and saturation of the market. To overcome this, we focused on differentiating our app by enhancing user engagement through personalized experiences and leveraging data-driven insights. We also prioritized building a strong community within our app, fostering a sense of connection and support among users. This approach not only set us apart from competitors but also helped us maintain high retention and satisfaction rates, proving that our unique strategy resonates with our audience.”

Evolution Of Zing Coach’s Technology

How has the company’s technology evolved since its launch? Parfenyuk noted:

“From day one, we believed that the perfect blend of tech innovations, such as generative AI, and significant investments in deep tech would propel Zing to become a leading fitness tech company with the highest engagement rates on the market. Our AI Recommender has evolved to be scalable, fast-learning, and highly individualized, ensuring that each user receives a personalized fitness journey. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models (LLMs), has been instrumental in enhancing user retention and engagement by providing tailored support and motivation. These advancements have allowed us to create a truly unique and effective fitness experience.”

Significant Milestones

What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Parfenyuk cited:

“One of the earliest was the successful roll out of our AI Assistant system, which provided personalized fitness plans and motivational insights, significantly boosting user retention and engagement.”

“Reaching 2+ million active users was a major highlight, validating our approach and impact.”

“Additionally, securing a substantial round of Series A ($10 million) funding allowed us to further invest in deep tech and innovation, solidifying our position as a leader in the fitness tech industry.”

Customer Success Stories

When asking Parfenyuk about customer success stories, she highlighted:

“We receive hundreds of inspiring success stories every week from our users, and it’s incredibly motivating for our team. One standout story is from Sarah, a busy working mother who struggled to find time for fitness. Traditional content plans and YouTube channels didn’t work for her because she needed a very flexible workout schedule. With the help of Zing’s AI Recommender, she created a personalized fitness plan that fit her hectic lifestyle. The AI Assistant kept her motivated with timely reminders and encouragement. Over six months, Sarah not only lost 20 pounds but also reported feeling more energetic and confident.”

“As a busy mom of two little kids myself, I understand the challenges Sarah faced. Stories like Sarah’s highlight the profound impact our technology has on people’s lives, helping them achieve their fitness goals and enhance their overall well-being.”

Metrics

When asking Parfenyuk about the company’s metrics, she revealed:

— 2M+ users

— 300k active subscribers

— 90 people in the company (remote)

— 3 co-founders

More metrics 

Total Addressable Market

When asking Parfenyuk about the total addressable market (TAM) size the company is pursuing, she assessed it was over $100 billion globally.

Differentiation From The Competition

What differentiates the company from its competition? Parfenyuk affirmed:

“Unique integration of cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of user needs.”

“Our AI Recommender system is not only scalable and fast-learning but also highly individualized, offering personalized fitness plans that adapt to each user’s progress and preferences. Additionally, our AI Assistant, powered by large language models, provides continuous support and motivation, significantly enhancing user retention and engagement. By combining these advanced technologies with our commitment to creating a supportive and engaging community, we deliver a fitness experience that is both effective and enjoyable, ensuring our users stay motivated and achieve their goals.”

“We also see a strong interest in our app driven by the compelling features highlighted in our ads, such as ‘AI Fitness Plan’ and ‘AI Body Scan.’ These innovative elements attract users who are intrigued by the promises of advanced AI solutions tailored to their fitness needs.”

Future Company Goals

What are some of the company’s future goals? Parfenyuk concluded:

“We have several exciting goals for the future that will enhance our users’ experience and expand our offerings. Firstly, we aim to further improve our AI Assistant platform, placing a stronger emphasis on the motivational aspects of training to keep users engaged and inspired. We’re also planning to diversify our content by adding a wider range of fitness activities, such as yoga, stretching, calisthenics, and specialized plans like those adapted for women’s cycles and postnatal fitness.”

“Additionally, we’re working on releasing new computer vision-based fitness tests, such as Strength Tests and Cardio Tests, to help users better track their progress. Another significant goal is to support 10 languages within our app, making it more accessible to users around the world. These initiatives reflect our commitment to innovation and our mission to provide a comprehensive, personalized, and motivating fitness experience.”



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